A related story entitled "Lives Ruined And Worse" ran in the same L.A. Times edition:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nursecases12-2009jul12,0,2930799.story
Nursing Board Attorney Commentary:
he article is sure to engender an outcry for the Board to be tougher on nurses and to speed up the discipline process. The article, however, focuses on certain cases, the length of time it takes for the Board to investigate a case and give the licensed nurse his or her legal right to a hearing. the article further neglects to consider how many licensed nurses are in California and that the Board can often be heavy handed when it comes to discipline.
The L.A. Times does not address why the hospitals, supervising physicians, health care agencies and other employers of nurses are not taking responsibility for the nurses. When nurses are not properly trained or there is insufficient staffing, errors can occur.
Instead of an even handed analysis of the issue, the articles create a dire view of the situation when, in fact, a few bad cases are not the rule. Discipline and investigations should ensue but it should not be an overreaction to simply take away a person's license without adequately investigating the case and providing full due process.
Any questions or comments should be directed to: tgreen@greenassoc.com. Tracy Green is a principal at Green and Associates, Attorneys at Law, Los Angeles, California. They focus their practice on the representation of licensed professionals, individuals and businesses in civil, business, administrative and criminal proceedings. They have a specialty in representing licensed health care providers including registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses.
